One of my favorite NYC bars. Too bad Taylor Swift had a birthday here so it’s nearly impossible to walk in these days… Make sure you try the Urn, a zombie-like drink that is by far the best tiki cocktail I’ve had in the city (including Paradise Lost’s, which are great btw).
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Katherine Iris
Banzarbar is a fantastic spot located upstairs from one of my favorite restaurants. Thea, the host, greeted us with a warm attitude and positive energy, making our check-in experience enjoyable. The decor is stunning, creating a really cool ambiance that sets the stage for a great night out.
The drinks were fantastic, with Beatrice, our bartender, providing excellent recommendations and executing them perfectly. My only wish is that the music was a bit more lively and upbeat to match the vibrant atmosphere. Overall, Banzarbar is a great place to unwind and enjoy delicious cocktails!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Divya Juneja
Very intimate, nice, small and cozy place. They take you upstairs, to get to speakeasy. Loved the service and drinks were very good too! Loved the way they organized the menu based on sea/ boat theme.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Anton S.
Atmosphere 9/10 The speakeasy inside a restaurant in an alley of East Village, hidden behind a not-so-obvious door on the second floor. The interior design recreates nicely some elements of the Banzar expedition, which gave the bar the name. Rather dark and intimate atmosphere with plenty of bar seating, and a nice back bar.
Drinks 10/10 Recommendation: Shackleton’s Urn Very thematic menu with references to the journey of Banzar expedition. Creative drinks, cool garnish and presentation. Special glasses and cups for some cocktails. nice coasters
Service 9/10 Cool bartender team - shoutout to Zach, who took the time to explain the history of the bar and the menu. Water and a welcome drink served immediately. Average prices for NYC
Reservation necessary and recommended well in advance
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Emily Zhou
Walked in on a Monday night without a reservation and was seated after 20min. The bar is super cozy and the menu is organized well. There was only one bartender so service isnt the fastest but he was so nice and helpful and we loved our drinks. Especially if you're not in a hurry, I highly recommend this bar!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 4
Eva Phan
One of the most underrated bars in New York City. Very cool space, hidden away from the traffic of the Lower East Side. You’ll walk into Freeman’s, then be guided through a maze of hallways before reaching the small, intimate space.
Drinks are sophisticated and refined. Expect to taste your alcohol—not a ton of options for things that are super fruity or sweet. Those that are still are balanced out with other flavors, crafting a well-rounded cocktail.
Definitely book Banzarbar for date night. The volume is kept to a minimum which makes it easy to get into conversation.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Audrey Brennan
hostesses were insanely rude!!!! rest of the staff were amazing but hostesses were demeaning and made it difficult to get to our reserved table :(
Ameily Chang
Hidden gem tucked away in a very secluded spot. small and intimate, delicious drinks, and very great and knowledgeable bartenders
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
James
Great service. Great milk punch
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kenzi
Our bartender Ruvi was very knowledgeable with all of the cocktails and their ingredients. We love to find out origins and history behind certain liquors and they always had detailed answers. The cocktails are absolutely perfect. Each one has its own distinct look, history, and mouth-feel. It's refreshing to go to a bar that has drinks that are not just all show.
Vegetarian options: There are several vegetarian options available including Cauliflower Tempura and Falafal
Dietary restrictions: The staff here are very conscious and considerate of those with restrictions and allergies. They are able to accommodate where they can so that the whole party feels included
I loved this place! It’s in a colorful alley, and the bar is huge. They take you to several different rooms. Each room is a bar. The vibes are mysterious and magical, totally recommended. And the bartender was very knowledgeable. Besides the drinks we ordered, the bartender kept offering us a taste of vermouth or wine and other stuff.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Ian Lagarde
Legit drinks, great vibes.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Varun Agarwal
Been several times with my wife and we’ve had a blast on every occasion.Very intimate experience. Lots of thought has been put into the cocktail menu; there are a variety of cocktails ranging from fruity and balanced to the stiffer Old fashioned riffs. The food is also quite delicious!Shout out to Chelsea, Beatrice, and Ruvi for a great experience every time we visit!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Road to Kerala, From Prussia with Love
PANASONIC LUMIX
An intimate place and quality cocktail bar.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dwight Kenneth
BANZARBAR, the hidden gem nestled on the second floor of Freemans Restaurant, has certainly captured the essence of a bygone era, earning a well-deserved 4 stars out of 5.Entering this vintage New York establishment felt like stepping back in time. The rustic colonial American decor, adorned with carefully preserved animal heads like deer, elk, and moose, created an ambiance that truly transported us to another era. It's a colonial tavern tucked away in a New York alley, and the rustic vibes were on point.The hospitality was top-notch, with hosts who were welcoming, and a bartender who was not only knowledgeable but also incredibly attentive and friendly. Their warm service added to the overall charm of the place.The drink menu was a delightful journey. We started with complimentary French dessert wine that set the stage for what was to come. The Pineapple Sage and Mount Pelee cocktails, both priced at $22, were a revelation. They offered a perfect balance of flavors, with the use of tinctures as a delightful bonus.The subsequent round of drinks didn't quite match our personal taste. The Sea Silk and Realm of the Nagas cocktails, also at $22 each, were decent but didn't leave as lasting an impression.One notable aspect was that none of the four drinks we tried felt overly boozy, which was a pleasant surprise. It allowed us to savor the intricate flavors without being overwhelmed.Ultimately, BANZARBAR impressed us with its captivating decor, exceptional staff, and an ambiance that transported us to a different time and place. We're already planning to return and explore their fall and winter cocktail menu. It's a speakeasy gem that promises a unique and memorable experience in the heart of New York City.
One of my favorite NYC bars. Too bad Taylor Swift had a birthday here so it’s nearly impossible to walk in these days… Make sure you try the Urn, a zombie-like drink that is by far the best tiki cocktail I’ve had in the city (including Paradise Lost’s, which are great btw).
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Banzarbar is a fantastic spot located upstairs from one of my favorite restaurants. Thea, the host, greeted us with a warm attitude and positive energy, making our check-in experience enjoyable. The decor is stunning, creating a really cool ambiance that sets the stage for a great night out.
The drinks were fantastic, with Beatrice, our bartender, providing excellent recommendations and executing them perfectly. My only wish is that the music was a bit more lively and upbeat to match the vibrant atmosphere. Overall, Banzarbar is a great place to unwind and enjoy delicious cocktails!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very intimate, nice, small and cozy place. They take you upstairs, to get to speakeasy. Loved the service and drinks were very good too! Loved the way they organized the menu based on sea/ boat theme.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Atmosphere 9/10
The speakeasy inside a restaurant in an alley of East Village, hidden behind a not-so-obvious door on the second floor. The interior design recreates nicely some elements of the Banzar expedition, which gave the bar the name. Rather dark and intimate atmosphere with plenty of bar seating, and a nice back bar.
Drinks 10/10
Recommendation: Shackleton’s Urn
Very thematic menu with references to the journey of Banzar expedition. Creative drinks, cool garnish and presentation. Special glasses and cups for some cocktails. nice coasters
Service 9/10
Cool bartender team -
shoutout to Zach, who took the time to explain the history of the bar and the menu. Water and a welcome drink served immediately. Average prices for NYC
Reservation necessary and recommended well in advance
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Walked in on a Monday night without a reservation and was seated after 20min. The bar is super cozy and the menu is organized well. There was only one bartender so service isnt the fastest but he was so nice and helpful and we loved our drinks. Especially if you're not in a hurry, I highly recommend this bar!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 4
One of the most underrated bars in New York City. Very cool space, hidden away from the traffic of the Lower East Side. You’ll walk into Freeman’s, then be guided through a maze of hallways before reaching the small, intimate space.
Drinks are sophisticated and refined. Expect to taste your alcohol—not a ton of options for things that are super fruity or sweet. Those that are still are balanced out with other flavors, crafting a well-rounded cocktail.
Definitely book Banzarbar for date night. The volume is kept to a minimum which makes it easy to get into conversation.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
hostesses were insanely rude!!!! rest of the staff were amazing but hostesses were demeaning and made it difficult to get to our reserved table :(
Hidden gem tucked away in a very secluded spot. small and intimate, delicious drinks, and very great and knowledgeable bartenders
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great service. Great milk punch
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Our bartender Ruvi was very knowledgeable with all of the cocktails and their ingredients. We love to find out origins and history behind certain liquors and they always had detailed answers.
The cocktails are absolutely perfect. Each one has its own distinct look, history, and mouth-feel. It's refreshing to go to a bar that has drinks that are not just all show.
Vegetarian options: There are several vegetarian options available including Cauliflower Tempura and Falafal
Dietary restrictions: The staff here are very conscious and considerate of those with restrictions and allergies. They are able to accommodate where they can so that the whole party feels included
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
I loved this place! It’s in a colorful alley, and the bar is huge. They take you to several different rooms. Each room is a bar. The vibes are mysterious and magical, totally recommended. And the bartender was very knowledgeable. Besides the drinks we ordered, the bartender kept offering us a taste of vermouth or wine and other stuff.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Legit drinks, great vibes.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Been several times with my wife and we’ve had a blast on every occasion.Very intimate experience. Lots of thought has been put into the cocktail menu; there are a variety of cocktails ranging from fruity and balanced to the stiffer Old fashioned riffs. The food is also quite delicious!Shout out to Chelsea, Beatrice, and Ruvi for a great experience every time we visit!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Road to Kerala, From Prussia with Love
An intimate place and quality cocktail bar.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
BANZARBAR, the hidden gem nestled on the second floor of Freemans Restaurant, has certainly captured the essence of a bygone era, earning a well-deserved 4 stars out of 5.Entering this vintage New York establishment felt like stepping back in time. The rustic colonial American decor, adorned with carefully preserved animal heads like deer, elk, and moose, created an ambiance that truly transported us to another era. It's a colonial tavern tucked away in a New York alley, and the rustic vibes were on point.The hospitality was top-notch, with hosts who were welcoming, and a bartender who was not only knowledgeable but also incredibly attentive and friendly. Their warm service added to the overall charm of the place.The drink menu was a delightful journey. We started with complimentary French dessert wine that set the stage for what was to come. The Pineapple Sage and Mount Pelee cocktails, both priced at $22, were a revelation. They offered a perfect balance of flavors, with the use of tinctures as a delightful bonus.The subsequent round of drinks didn't quite match our personal taste. The Sea Silk and Realm of the Nagas cocktails, also at $22 each, were decent but didn't leave as lasting an impression.One notable aspect was that none of the four drinks we tried felt overly boozy, which was a pleasant surprise. It allowed us to savor the intricate flavors without being overwhelmed.Ultimately, BANZARBAR impressed us with its captivating decor, exceptional staff, and an ambiance that transported us to a different time and place. We're already planning to return and explore their fall and winter cocktail menu. It's a speakeasy gem that promises a unique and memorable experience in the heart of New York City.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Loading...